‘Ultimate team player’

One of Timberlake High School’s top team players is bringing out the best in his team this year.

Jesse Dunham, No. 53 on the varsity football team, suffers from a disability caused by a complicated birth. But it hasn’t stopped him from leading the football team onto the field each game this season.

He cheered on his school from the sidelines since freshman year and started wishing he could be one of the “stars” on the field. Last year he decided to try out for wrestling and tried out for football as a senior this year. He made both varsity teams and will compete during state football playoffs this weekend.

“I can’t believe I got this far,” Dunham said.

Head football coach Roy Albertson said he has 36 players on the playoff roster, and Dunham is one of them. The Timberlake football team will compete at state today at 1 p.m. on its home turf.

Dunham’s been a steady force at football practice since mid-August, drilling with the team and driving home winning games as a defensive lineman.

Albertson said Dunham is an “ultimate team player” who cheers the team and waits patiently for a chance to play. He’s always grateful for his time on the field and never complains.

Dunham is a student in Albertson’s weight-lifting class and said he’s often fired up for games each Wednesday during class.

He said Dunham has brought out the best in his team, with several teammates offering to help out with his practice and technique. When it comes to the Friday night game, his teammates step up and ask when he’s going in.

“When Jesse goes in there, he’s got the whole team cheering for him on the sidelines,” he said.

But the fans would also stand to cheer him on in each game, said Dunham.

“They were up and yelling for me,” he said. “I was kind of the star of the show.”

Dunham played basketball and softball in the Special Olympics last year and will play basketball again this year. He said he likes competing so he can meet with friends and be part of a team.

After high school, he hopes to be a football coach or video game designer.

Kelly Amos, computer teacher and varsity wrestling coach, is looking forward to having Dunham on the team again this year.

He shows up at every practice and drills with the rest of the squad.

With his devotion to the sport, there’s always a spot on the wrestling roster for Dunham, Amos said.

“If he’s willing to put in the work, he definitely deserves the chance to compete and hopefully the chance to realize there’s a place for everyone,” he said.

Amos said all encouragement helps, and Dunham is usually one of the first one to pat a teammate on the back.

“He has some challenges, but yet he fits in just fine with our group of wrestlers,” Amos said.

Amos said his strength comes from wanting to be part of the team, and Dunham is always eager to compete.

“There’s a real possibility he could just fold, not give his all and lose the match,” Amos said. “But every time he goes out, he gives a full effort and gives his best.”

Amos works to get him a match during each wrestling meet. He doesn’t win every match, but Dunham remembers pinning one opponent last year.

“It was cool,” he said. “That’s why I play.”